Window construction



July 1, 1941 l D. 1". HOUSTON 2,247,634

WINDOW oo gxsTRUCTIoN l Filed Dec. 9, 195s s sheets-shawl l lvllllllllllllllll willllllllllllllllllllllllllll INVENTOR Duid Tallz's Houson BY y @Lzb, 64m 19M l ATTORNEYS July 1 1941- yD. T. HOUSTON 2,247,634

` WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed De. 9, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS July 1, 1941.-

D. T. HOUSTON y wINDow CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fi1ed`De0. 9, 1936 y INVENTOR avlld falli? fgusfon ATTORNEYS T Patented July l, 1941 UNITED STTES `rrice This invention pertains to the use of flexible sheet material for windows and the like, and to apparatus used in connection therewith.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved insulating storm window, or winter window for a house.

Another object is to provide improved means for supporting and operating rollable sheet or screen means, i. e., flexible means which has considerable expanse with small thickness.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

1n the accompanying drawings, in which are shown one or more of the various possible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a window casement of the usual type wherein'the sashes move vertically, and in which an embodiment of theV invention is shown installed as a storm or winter window; Y

Figure 2 is an elevation of a roll assembly, em bodying the invention, for holding the sheet inaterial, certainparts being broken away and shown in section for purposes of clarity;

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure `4 is a detailed elevation of the right hand end of the roll assembly shown in'Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5 5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged Vertical section taken on line 6 6 of Figure 2; y n

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 1 1 of Figure 6; i

Figure 8 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 8 8 of Figure 6; l

Figure 9 is an enlarged vertical Section taken on line 9 9 of Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a detailed elevation of latch mechanism shown in the lower right hand corner of Figure 1; and

Figure ll-is a vertical section taken on line II II of Figure 10.

Corresponding reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. l

Referring to Figure l, a window frame, generally indicated at I0, is shown as viewed from the forate sheet I3 of cellulose acetate (or other suitable flexible material) of suitable weight is supported in the frame inside the two sashes II and I 2 and preferably in a relatively air-tight manner to provide a secondary window which seals a dead air space between it and the window panes of the sashes II and I2. The secondary window is preferably readily retractable to permit access to the sashes II and I 2, when desired.

The mechanism for mounting and operating this secondary or winter window comprises generally a roll assembly on which the material is rollable, and a guide assembly for assisting in holding the material in position and for completing the air-tight arrangement.

The roll assembly, as shown in Figures 2 through 6, comprises an ordinary window shade roller having the usual coil spring, not shown. This roller is rotatably supported in the left side of the window jamb by a long shaft I5 extending from` the roller. A bearing I6 for the pin shaft I5 is secured to the top ofthe left side of the window jamb above the inner lower sash I2 by screws or nails I'I. The bearing has a trumpetshaped opening I8 of greater diameter than the pin I5 to receive the pin. The .'amb is preferably cut away, as shown at I9, in back of the bearing support I6. With this arrangement the shaft may be convenientlyinserted in and withdrawn from the bearing support while the roll assembly is tipped at a lconsiderable angle from its normal 'operating position. The shape of the bearing and the length of the shaft aids in ndingthe hole of the bearingl while the roll is being mounted in position. y Y

From the right end of the roll a sub-shaft 2| extends to which is secured one end of the coil spring.l The shaft extends through a bearing 22 'rigidly secured to the roller itself by suitable means, not shown. Secured to and extending fromthe end of the shaft 2| is a latch mechanism, generally. indicated at 23, and having a slabbed extension 24 adapted to slide into a slot 25 (Figure 5) provided in a support 26 secured to the right side of the jamb opposite the bearing I6. The extension'24 thus provides a non-rotatable engagement and support betweenA the shaft 2I and the window jamb and supports the right end of the roll. The roll is readily removable from this position-in the same manner that theusual wim dow shade is removable-i. e., by pushing the slabbed extension out of the slot 25.

The latch mechanism 23 has a radially, upwardly extending neck portion enlarged at its end to provide a bearing support for a stub shaft 28 (Figure carrying at its left end a detent 29 adapted, in latching position, to catch or latch with projections 3|] and 3| provided on the bearing 22 to prevent the spring rotating the shaft 2| with respect to the roll when the ro-ll'assembly is removed from operative position within the frame. The right end of shaft 28 carries a pearshaped cam adaptedVV automatically to move the f latch 29 out of and into latching position, respectively, as the roll assembly is positionedV inf and removed from the jamb. Y

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a cooperating' cani surface is formed on the supportl2-6 -by providing a raised edge portion on the support, and giving the lower side 35 of a recess 34 formed in it a .curved cam'surface'for engagingv the curved side of the cam. 3'2 as it movestherea'gainst when the rollv is being' maneuvered into position to move the shaftfand latch counterclockwise, to .unlatchv theshaft 2 I .i v-Theupper cani surface of the recess -coacts With'lthe'lat cam'lsu'rfa'ce of cam'v- 32 to turn .the latch 'clockwise 'andthefdetent 29 into 'latching position as the fsla'bbed rextension is pushed upwardlyout of theslt 25.

'In'. practice, 4'the-operation'V of placing the roll -in its' supports is performed-as follows: With Vthe vrrlate'rial rolled up on the. roll the desired: amount of tension is placedonthe spring` by rotating the .latch mechanismlandshaft 2| tov Wind uppthe spring, and-.then turning thel detent 2'9 to engage one 'of Vthe projectidns30,` 3| to keepthe spring from uwindin'g; j The'leftz-erid of the rollV assembly. isznow. raised and the pin I5 inserted the bearing I6, after which'vopera'tion the; projection 24 is slipped intother slot*25. As it is Ypulled zdow'n to the bottomof the slot; 25A the latch oper- .atingicamv 321 engages the lip/35 orv lower cam ysurface of Ath'erecess/ causing `the -cam to "turn connterclo'ckwise'- to `move the detent 29 away from the projection to free'the latch mechanism Vfr'ointhe roll Yand therebyto connect operatively the' spring withv the roll'.

'Io-:reinovethe roll-'a5ssenrbly from the window frame, the right `handend is pushed' up tovmove 4projection 24 out ofthe slot, butin doing so the oamcliehgages' the upper side of :the recess 34 which" turns thecam in clockwise direction to `movethe latch 29 into engaging'position with the Vprojection :35, 3| and so'v prevents-unwinding of .thetspringr Theroll' isvthen free to be removed from its-:left: hand'V support inl the. same :manner thatithe: ordinary :window shade Vis removed.

"Preferably a small leaf spring 36 having a humped portion is provided on the support26 to preventsthe latch mechanism land the roll-assemblyfrom.inadvertentlyv jumping outof position. v

'the' end is removed from` thefguide by simply` urging the edges against theinner guide'40 andY -wtii'the ren atssembiy.innemen-ted.'by puu- .ingrthe free end ofthe sheet material, itin-ay be' drawn down over thegopening of` the window 'framelagainst the action of' the spring.V By: releasing it the springpulls the' sheet upan'd'rewinds itgon theroll.

virili-a1 mesma-material is te bsd for' the purpose of a storm` or winterwidow; I have found-that aheavy sheet ofv nre-resisting cellulose acetate'` of the'type .'soldiunderrthe trade VnaneffS'afety Samson Film, L;808,, manufacturedfbylGlluloid Company; is satisfactory. Of

course,rwhenus`ed as a stormLwindoW tshould be front or face portions 43 .and 44 pinched to slant Y inwardly as shown. A small anglebracket 45 secured to the outer side V4!) of the guide and a bracket 46 secured to the base thereof provide means for securing the guide to the inside jamb casing. As shown in Figure 6, the extreme top of the-guide may be secured directly to the jamb by a suitable screw 41. By placing the brackets as shown, it is possible to mount the guide at the extreme edge of the jamb casing 5| and so to move the secondary'window as closely as practical to the window sashes. Y

V'Inside the guide areopposing strips of cellulose acetate for' A some other resilient, ilexible material having a flow coefficient of Asurface friction.

'These' strips vlightlypress against opposite sides 'of the edge portion ofthe sheet material whenV it is between them. These strips,.48 and-49, are

.snapped into'place. in the guideand remain there `under tension. They maybe pre-shapedso that their window-contacting portions 50 lie close to the face portions" 43 and 44 of the guide, and, as

Vabove mentioned; arev placed sufficiently close together that they press lightly against the edge portion of the secondary window 'when itis be- *tween the strips.` Thiswinsures an air-tight .seal between theV window and the guides Without 'causing objectionable friction.

ToV facilitate .threading the secondary window into the respective guides Vand toicompleteftlie air seal at the side of thewindow the outside `(window side) side 4I of each guide and its respective strip 49 is bent back, commencing at a point'53,V to a vplane parallel tothe surface"54'of thefjamb'trimming 5|. As shown in' Figures 7 and 9, the continuity of the side 4| is interrupted tofprovide a bend to lhook -overthe top end portion of the strip 49 and provide a'ismooth tapered `upper Vend forthetermination of the side 4|.- To 'air further in the ease of threading Vthe secondary window between theguides as it comes from the roll, the -forward face portion 440i side 4| is beveled off beginning at apoint ,56 (Figure 6) to meet the angle bend 55.

With this construction the end of th'eedge portion of lthe cellulose acetate sheet may be readily threaded into the guide from a position where Abetween the end of theriamband theedge of the Y' sheetmaterial. Y .i To aidj in reenforcing the bottom edge-of the sheet material and in inserting it between` the guides, the lower end of the sheet isl preferably provided, as shown in Figures11,.with-reenforcing strips 58 and 59 suitably*clampedrtogether ,with'the edge ofthesheetbetween The reenforcing members 58 and 53 are preferably suiciently iiexible soV that in the, event ofy anY -edge.

off-the secondary .window being pushedV outV of its guide while the window is down,lthereenforc ing edge may be itself bent to removeitsends from the guideto place the entire windowbetween vthe guide and the window sashes, after which the window may be rolled up and rethreaded between the guides with no damage to either the guide or the sheet material. i

Also secured between the reenforcing members 58 and 59 is a folded rubber strip 60, or other suitable soft material or form, the loop portion 6I of which drops below the reenforcing members 58 and 59 and provides a suitable air seal between the window sill and the bottom edge of the sheet.

To hold the window down against the action of the spring as shown in Figure 1, and in detail in Figures l and 11, suitable latches are mounted on the reenforcing bar for latching with catches 54 secured to the window sill.

As shown in Figures 1 and 6, along the upper edge of the window frame, the air seal is completed by means of a depending flap generally indicated at 65 and secured to the side surface of the casing 66 of the head piece of the window frame. The ilap comprises preferably a strip of heavy cellulose acetate folded along its lower edge over a stiff but elastic reenforcing member 61 of wood, metal, or the like, and suitably riveted or otherwise secured, as at 68.

The reenforcing member 61 is cut short enough to'permit its movement between the guides on theopposite sides of the window frame, but the cellulose acetate extends between the ends of the reenforcing member and so contacts with the window sides of the guides 4l] and urges the whole ap assembly against the roll assembly.

This construction permits the lower edge of the ap to be pushed considerably forward of the guides while the roll assembly is being mounted in position.

It"has been found preferable to reenforce the end portions of the cellulose acetate sheet that extend beyond the reenforcing member by an additional thickness of cellulose acetate suitably cemented to the main features by a thermoplastic cement such as sold under the trade name Methyl cellosolve acetate.

On the outer side of the ap, that is the side adjacent the roll assembly, is pasted, or otherwise suitably secured, a strip of soft cloth to prevent scratching of the sheet as it moves past the iiap. The ilap is preferably designed to rest always against the window strip and is made suiiiciently long so that as the effective diameter of the roll reduces (as the window sheet is drawn down), at least some portion of the flap contacts the window sheet across its width.

Each bottom corner of the sheet window is shown reenforced preferably by a piece of cellulose acetate `cut in the shape of a semieireular piece. The piece is folded to bring its edges into juxtaposition, is fitted over the corner and cemented in place by a thermo-plastic cement such as is sold under the trade name Cellulose acetate.

From the foregoing it is seen that the novel guides and supporting mechanism for flexible sheet material enable the roll assembly to be mounted readily in the usual window casing, and to be taken out of it as occasion demands. The novel guides give the necessary guiding effect without causing undesirable friction and may be used when sheet means, such as screening, etc., are substituted for the transparent secondary window.

Referring again to Figures 2 through 6, additional mechanism is shown to prevent the sheet material from scratching itself while wound on the roll I4. This is accomplished by winding a soft cotton cloth with the cellulose acetate on the roll I4. To take care of the cloth when the ilexible window is unwound from the roll I4 a second roll 10 of the usual window shade type is mounted below roll I4, and so positioned that as t-he roll of sheet material is pulled down and unwound from roll I4, the protective material unwinding from I4 winds up on the roll 10. Likewise, as the secondary window is released and run up the tension in the spring of roll I4 is sufcient to unroll the cloth from the roll 10 to wind up the cloth and window material together. In this way a layer of cotton cloth is maintained between adjacent surfaces of the transparent cellulose acetate material and so prevents any scratching.

The mechanism for accomplishing this is best shown in Figure 2 wherein the right end of the roll 10 is shown provided with a pin shaft II extending through a hole 12 in a supporting angle bracket 13 suitably secured by a nut and bolt to a supporting member 14. Flanges on the member 14 prevent bracket 13 from twisting out of place. Member 14 has a slot at its upper end adapted to receive theextension 24 of the latch yassembly 23. In addition the suport 14 is preferably secured to the latch assembly as shown by solder or the like.

The connection between the angle support I3 and its support 14 is preferably made by a nut- ]oolt arrangement so that the angle 13 may be detached from the support 14 in the event that the second-ary roll assembly is not needed as when the roll I4 is carrying a non-scratchable material such as a screen or the like.

The left end of the roll 10 is provided with a latch mechanism 16 similar to that of 23 and has a slabbed end 11 adapted to engage nonrotatably a slot 18 in a spring angle support 19 riveted to a support in such a way as to be rigidly secured thereto. The spring (not shown) of roll 1I) is secured through the shaft on which the latch mechanism 16 is attached land operates in conjunction with tabs 16a, on the roll 10 to prevent undesired unwinding of the spring.

The support 80 is provided with a bearing or collar BI adapted to receive the pin I5 of the roll I4 so that when the two are in operative position, as shown in Figure 2, the pin I5 becomes a support for the left end of the roll 1U.

The support 8U is also provided with tabs 82 and 83 (see Figure 3) adapted to slip between the jamb trimming and prevent rotation of support 80 about the pin I5. Support 80 thus constructed also limits the endwise movement of roll I4.

The roll 10 may be assembled with the roll I4 independently of the supporting means for the combined roll assembly. After the cloth and sheet material have been wound up on roll I4, the springs of each roll are wound to the proper tension by means of the latch mechanism which is then put into latching engagement. Then the roll 10 is secured in place and the latch mechanism 16 is manually released. After the two rolls have thus been assembled together, the entire roll assembly may be mounted in position in the window jamb as described above.

As various embodiments might be made of this invention, and as various changes might be made in the construction herein described, all without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to bei the sheet means.

interpreted ,asfillustrative andanot in a limiting sense; f Y

'l 1L InA combination lwith a window frame, a storm window comprising a transparent, colorless',` 'eXible sheet, roll means mounted inthe Window 'frame on which the sheet may be rolled, lgiiide means at the'sides of the window frame for receiving theside edge portions of the sheet mafteri'al to'provide an'air` seal, means along ythe lower ledge portion of said sheet material to pro-V vide 'an airrseal," means between the top edge of the window frame and the roll means for providing 'an air seal', said window being readily drawn across said v'rindovv'frame` and retractable therefrom, and'roll means associated with said first roll for winding and u nwinding` protectivev material adapted to wind and'unwind on the roll'with V2. In combination with a window assembly having a `frame, awindow comprising a flexible' sheet, roll-means mounted in the frame on which the sheet may be rolled, said window being readily drawn across said frame and retractable therefrom Vand roll means associated with said rst roll fori Winding and unwindingv protective material adapted to windfand unwind on the roll 4Withthe sheet means. I' u 3. In combination with a window assembly having affrjame, a )vindow comprising aexible sheet,'rll Yin'earisriooiinted Yin the yframe on which thefsheet maybe rolled, guide means at the sides o'fl-theuwindow frame .for receiving the sdeedge portions ofthe sheet material to provide an air Iseal, means along'- the lower edge portion of said sheet material vto"fpiovide 'an air seal, means between the top'edge oithe' frame and thel roll means' for providing anali' seal, saidY Window being readily drawn across said frame and retractable therefrom,`and rollv means associated with said n r'st roll for winding and unwinding protective materialadapte'd to wind and unwind on Vthe roll with the sheet means.V v p 4. In conibinationv with a window frame, a storm windowV comprising a ilexible sheet, roll means supported by the window frame on which the sheet may be rolled, guide means at thesides oftloe'?window'frame for receivingthe side edgeV portions Vof the sheetmaterial to providean air seal, means alongthelower edge portion of said a sheet materialto'provide an air `seal, means between -the topf edge ofthe window 'frame and the roll meansfforproviding anair seal, said'win- .dow being readily 'drawn across YsaidV window frame and retractable therefrom, and roll means associatedwithsaid irstrollI forr winding and :unwinding protective material .radaptedfzto-twind and unwind on the roll with thev sheet means; and reenforcing' means provided on: the: :bottom -corners of saidfexible'sheet. material'.

5'.v Inxcombination with a" windowv frame, a `sto'rmwindow,V Vcomprising a lcellulose acetate `ilexiblez-sheet, rolle means mounted in.- the :window Aframe .on '.which*the'sheet'fimaybe rolled, guidev i 6; In combination. with al window "frame, a

flexible sheet, roll means mounted Vinthe window frame on: which-thesheet maybe rolled, guide 'meansi at the sides 'ofthe window-frame forreceiving thefside edge v'portionsof the sheetl material to provide a sean-:means along thelower edge portion of saidsheetmaterial to` providea seal, means between-the"topwedgeiof'theWindow frame and the roll: means for'providin'g Aafs'eal, saidafwindow beingl readily- 'drawnf across lsaid window f frame Vand retractable' therefrom, soft cloth materiali coextensive fWith the flexible ma*- terialand adapted tobeiwound `on thevroll there,`

with, `and* secondary iroll means'rfor windin'gfup 'said' oloth-materialA said `transparent Sheet is unrolled', saidiroll 'means Vcomprising a shade roll, a bracket extending downwardly Afromne end of said Vijlrst rollV for supporting oneend of said Vsecond roll,- a bracket loosely'supported by theother end of Ysaid 'rst- 'roll' and` extending downwardly for supporting theA other :end of said second roll, andthe springs of' saidrolls opposing each` other. 'l 7'. In combination'. with: a Vwindow-assembly having awindow frame,m a' ilex'ibletransparent screen, "roll means supported? Vfrom the frame on which the screenmay' beiolled, vguide means at theside'of Said frame fOr-receiving Ythe-'side edge portions"V of the Tscreen toy guide the same and providingfa 'seal therewith;V substantially rigid means A'for reen'forcingl the bottom ledge f said screen,` and transpa'entexible means extending a short distance above" Said rigid means Y for' re enforcing thefbottomcorners of said screen, said transparent flexible 'reen'fo'rc'ing meansv being ,55 Asi'dbsta ntially integral with said screen. 

